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Despite my best efforts to start Tuesday out on the best foot possible, it still feels like a Monday. My other car had a tire with a slow leak so I was going to drive that and the wife was going to drive ye old truck.
She went out and did the normal truck starting procedure (insert key, pump gas pedal 5 times, cross fingers, etc.). When she turned the key the starter engaged and stayed engaged. The starter just keep on going despite her best efforts. She took the key out, tried to dump it into a gear to kill it, etc. She did everything I would have but the starter stayed engaged.
Eventually something gave and magic blue smoke came out of the hood. I assume the starter is dead. I am guessing ignition switch or starter relay that kept the starter engaged.
Any ideas on best way to test starter relay? Has anyone had this happen to them?
Anyways, I think today is going to continue to be a Monday.
The copper connection can weld together in a starter relay hit it with a wrench when that happens
It's a lot less common but I had some wires melt together so that as long as it was turning the starter kept going as soon as the motor stopped the starter quit
Sounds like a stuck/welded starter solenoid on the passenger side inner fenderwell. When that happens you have to take the + side wire off the battery QUICKLY to stop it.
So now it sounds like either your stater is toast, you burnt some wiring or maybe you fried a fusible link. Look at the wiring bundle just down from the starter solenoid (on firewall) for an orange color rubber like in line link. If it is stretchy...yes that is how you tell it is blown or it might be burnt looking, if it is, replace it.
I would pull the stater, air up the tire on the car, go to the local parts store get a new starter solenoid (cheap), and get the starter bench tested (free). And then go get the tire on the car fixed, or get a can of fix a flat.
Hang in there, tomorrow is just another day and one closer to the weekend.
Definitely get a couple of starter solenoids, one to install and the other for the glove box (spare)! And while you're throwin' stuff in the glove box, toss in a spare combo wrench so the battery can be disconnected next time it happens before other stuff gets fried (hopefully)! New solenoids ain't as good as they used to be (quality wise, in my opinion).
I got the voltage regulator off and the starter unbolted. I thought I may be able to sneak the starter out around the headers but no go. I will probably try to get the headers off tonight.
I think I saw some pretty significant burn marks on the starter but cant fully see until I get it out.
Starter solenoid on the passenger side fire wall I what I think is the problem....might as well replace the VR while the hood is up. And make sure you spray lube those header bolts.
Try a starter relay from a newer truck instead of the old style Barrel Solenoid/Relay. I have not had any problems like this with the new design relay. It may not look Original or Stock, but it definitely has a high WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor)!
I got the voltage regulator off and the starter unbolted. I thought I may be able to sneak the starter out around the headers but no go. I will probably try to get the headers off tonight.
I think I saw some pretty significant burn marks on the starter but cant fully see until I get it out.
I meant to say starter relay and not voltage regulator. I may need more coffee this morning.
I'll take a look at the new style of relay and spray those header bolts. Unfortunately I think the starter is dead but I'll find out over the next few days. I don't know if I'll have time to get it off tonight as I need to go help a neighbor fix a toilet. Not having a good track record this week!
I think the wife acceptance factor keeps plummeting with each breakdown. Hopefully I can get a few months success/history after this repair.
I think the wife acceptance factor keeps plummeting with each breakdown. (quote)
Yes...the WAF on my boat has virtually sank....She wont go near it. lol
And yes, my money is on the starter solenoid as well. Had one stick on me a few moons ago when I hit a pothole. Replaced it and it never happened again.
X 2 on more coffee and with you track record...better goggle and glove up when helping up on the neighbors toilet.
And the standing rule when working on a toilet, it to keep your mouth shut. Cause if you are the kinda guy that works with your mouth open a bit, it can be a bad tasting day. if the water goes to spraying.
Hopefully it is just a starter solenoid and not a starter. Inside the frame rail exit headers ='s oh you mean a starter in a cage set up.
I had to take the headers off to get the starter out. That was really fun. The starter is most definitely dead. I am picking up the new starter, solenoid and header gaskets tonight.
I did find one concerning issue once I got the starter off. There are at least two teeth on the flywheel that are gone. Any thoughts here? I think it should still work for a while.
Looks like it's time for a new flywheel. I definitely wouldn't try to run it like that, for a few reasons:
1. Starter won't have anything to engage if engine stops with the missing teeth near it
2. You're likely to damage the gear on the new starter
3. Missing teeth will throw off the balance of the flywheel, which could cause engine vibrations at high rpms and damage seals, etc.
if the water goes to spraying.
